EP1862315B1 - Ink cartridge - Google Patents

Ink cartridge Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1862315B1
EP1862315B1 EP07010664A EP07010664A EP1862315B1 EP 1862315 B1 EP1862315 B1 EP 1862315B1 EP 07010664 A EP07010664 A EP 07010664A EP 07010664 A EP07010664 A EP 07010664A EP 1862315 B1 EP1862315 B1 EP 1862315B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
ink
valve
valve body
valve seat
ink cartridge
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP07010664A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1862315A3 (en
EP1862315A2 (en
Inventor
Ulf Reinhardt
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Artech GmbH Design and Production in Plastic
Original Assignee
Artech GmbH Design and Production in Plastic
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Artech GmbH Design and Production in Plastic filed Critical Artech GmbH Design and Production in Plastic
Publication of EP1862315A2 publication Critical patent/EP1862315A2/en
Publication of EP1862315A3 publication Critical patent/EP1862315A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1862315B1 publication Critical patent/EP1862315B1/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17513—Inner structure
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/1752—Mounting within the printer
    • B41J2/17523—Ink connection
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17503—Ink cartridges
    • B41J2/17556—Means for regulating the pressure in the cartridge
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J2/00—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed
    • B41J2/005—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms characterised by the printing or marking process for which they are designed characterised by bringing liquid or particles selectively into contact with a printing material
    • B41J2/01—Ink jet
    • B41J2/17—Ink jet characterised by ink handling
    • B41J2/175—Ink supply systems ; Circuit parts therefor
    • B41J2/17596—Ink pumps, ink valves

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to an ink cartridge comprising at least one ink tank having an ink outlet with an ink outlet opening extending from inside to outside, in which ink outlet port a differential pressure valve is mounted, which comprises a valve seat and a valve body movable relative thereto; the valve seat has a continuous valve opening having a peripheral sealing surface on the outside, spring means mounted between the movable valve body and the fixed ink outlet, one end against a fixed axial abutment (16) in the ink outlet port (4) and with the other End supported against the valve body (15), the valve body (15) is pressed against the sealing surface (11) of the valve seat (9) with a predetermined closing force by the spring device (17) and can be moved outward from the sealing surface (11) against the closing force.
  • Ink cartridges of the type mentioned serve as replaceable ink tanks for supplying ink to ink jet printing devices.
  • they have a housing, which is designed for attachment in a corresponding receptacle of a printer.
  • the housing of the ink cartridge are formed as an actual ink reservoir, a single or multiple ink containers, which may be filled with different inks.
  • Each ink container has an ink outlet port for detachable connection to an ink supply port of the printer. This will cause the printer to operate Ink supplied.
  • the empty ink cartridge can be easily removed from the receptacle and replaced with a full ink cartridge.
  • the empty ink cartridges are either disposed of or refilled with ink for reuse.
  • ink jet printers require that the ink be present at the ink outlet of the ink cartridge at a predetermined negative pressure level corresponding to the negative pressure that the printhead produces during operation at the ink supply port of the printer.
  • the negative pressure level must be kept within narrow limits: On the one hand, it must be ensured that the ink does not automatically leak out of the ink cartridge by gravity and disturb the function of the print head, on the other hand, the pressure level must not be so high that the print head is not inked can be sucked more.
  • Ink cartridges with differential pressure valves in the ink outlet are known in many designs, for example from the EP 238 829 B1 , Therein, a valve with a cap-shaped valve body is described, the spring-loaded on a sealing surface of the ink outlet from the outside sealingly sealing and the passage opening releases when the printhead falls below a predetermined negative pressure level on the outside of the differential pressure valve.
  • an elastic valve body has the advantage of a simple construction.
  • the disadvantage is that the production of an elastic valve body with the required accuracy of the elastic properties in large numbers is relatively expensive.
  • the properties of elastic materials change with time, so that the valve leaks or the pressure difference required to open becomes too high or too low.
  • the aforementioned problems can be compensated by the fact that the valve body is pressed by a spring element against a valve seat.
  • Such a concept is for example in the EP 709 207 B1 described.
  • the known design of the valve has the significant disadvantage that even a slight misalignment of the valve body relative to the sealing surface leads to functional problems.
  • this is the normal case, since the valve body is movable in the Tintenauslassö réelle and thereby inevitably has mechanical play.
  • the differential pressure valve may be leaking in the closed state, whereby the vacuum level at the ink outlet can not be maintained, thus ink escapes uncontrollably and malfunctions and damage to the printer can occur.
  • the invention is based on the motivation to provide an ink cartridge with a differential pressure valve which functions more reliably.
  • the valve body in the closed state should always rest optimally sealingly against the sealing surface.
  • the invention proposes that the valve seat (9) has a hinge portion (14) on which the sealing surface (11) relative to the Tintenauslassö réelle (4) is arranged tiltable.
  • the sealing surface is not firmly fixed in the ink outlet opening, but movable within the ink outlet, namely tiltable.
  • valve seat is formed deformable, for example as an elastic rubber molding. This can already be designed by a simple shape, for example, as a pipe section in itself flexible elastic.
  • a further advantage is that the sealing surface can tilt laterally. This can be realized for example by a kind of tilting joint, which is formed by a circumferential indentation in a tubular portion of the valve seat. This can be compensated for any tilting of the valve body in the ink outlet.
  • the valve body is in the closed state always optimally sealing to the sealing surface.
  • An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the sealing surface is movable in the longitudinal direction of the Tintenauslassö réelle. Such axial mobility can be achieved, for example, by a bellows-type compensating piece, so that the sealing surface can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet opening.
  • the valve seat initially stretches outwardly during the suction of the printer before the valve body lifts off from the sealing surface. As a result, first gradually builds negative pressure, which undesirable valve flutter is suppressed.
  • the differential pressure valve according to the invention consequently has a particularly favorable response.
  • the retraction of the valve seat prevents ink run-off or dripping when the printer stops sucking or the ink cartridge is removed from the printer. As a result, the handling and reliability is increased.
  • the sealing surface is conically shaped.
  • Spherical valve bodies can seal particularly well in the inner cone thus formed.
  • a cone-shaped, circumferential sealing lip can be formed, which achieves a good sealing effect on even and spherical-spherical mating surfaces even at low sealing forces.
  • the valve body may have a crowned sealing surface which is formed on the end face of a substantially cylindrical body.
  • the sealing surface may be flat, conical or otherwise shaped.
  • the valve seat is formed as an elastomeric molded part, for example made of rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer.
  • an inventive mobility of the valve seat can be realized well.
  • the valve seat has a fitting which allows easy connection to the ink outlet port.
  • the fitting may for example be formed by a pipe section which is mounted on a corresponding coupling part, for example, is fitted tightly onto a formed on the Tintenauslassö réelle connecting piece.
  • the spring means may comprise a compression spring which is supported at one end against a fixed axial abutment in the Tintenauslassö réelle and at the other end against the valve body.
  • the spring means comprises a first permanent magnet mounted on the valve body and a second permanent magnet fixedly mounted relative to the valve opening in the ink outlet port, opposite to the first permanent magnet, so that the repulsive force is between the first and second Permanent magnet acting as a closing force on the valve body.
  • the valve force with which the valve body is pressed against the sealing surface is thus alternatively produced by a mechanical spring element or by magnetic repulsion.
  • the repulsive magnetic force can be realized in that first and second magnetic elements are attached to the movable valve body and the abutment fixed relative to the sealing surface.
  • the magnetic elements face each other with the same magnetic poles, ie north-north or south-south, whereby a magnetic force acts, which is directed outwards with respect to a connecting line of the two Magente.
  • the magnetic transmission of the closing force on the valve body is non-contact. This makes it possible to first individually produce the valve body with the first magnet and the housing with the second magnet and then assemble together without mechanical connection and thus particularly easy to the differential pressure valve. In addition, other potential mechanical problems that might arise from the use of conventional springs, such as friction, tilting, contamination, etc., are eliminated.
  • Another advantage is that permanent magnets can be produced cheaply in high quantities with close tolerances in terms of their magnetic and mechanical properties, for example by sintering. As a result, the response of the inventive differential pressure valve can be specified accordingly.
  • magnets made of hard magnetic materials with high remanence and permeability By using permanent magnets made of hard magnetic materials with high remanence and permeability, magnets with small dimensions can be used which retain their magnetization over a long period of time. Accordingly, the closing force remains constant and the function of the valve is ensured in the long term.
  • the pole axes of the permanent magnets are aligned coaxially.
  • the first and second permanent magnets with the same magnetic poles are axially opposite each other with respect to the connecting line, the radial orientation having no influence.
  • the production is simplified and there are no unwanted torques on the magnets.
  • the permanent magnets are disc-shaped.
  • the magnets are shaped as cylindrical disks with an axial magnetization direction. These are simply arranged axially above one another on the valve body and a fixed abutment in the housing of the ink cartridge.
  • the permanent magnets may be cuboid or annular - or in different dimensions - be configured, to achieve an optimization of the closing force or an adaptation to the housing, for example, to simplify the assembly.
  • An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the valve body and / or attached thereto first permanent magnet is guided on a guide in the direction of movement.
  • a mechanical guide of the valve body can be formed for example by guide rods or rails and corresponding openings in the valve body and in the housing. This ensures that the valve body sits securely and accurately on the valve opening.
  • the first and second permanent magnets form a self-centering magnetic bearing.
  • a magnetic bearing can be formed, for example, by one of the permanent magnets being an axially magnetized ring which fixes the second magnet radially. In this way, a contact-free centering of the valve body can be realized relative to the valve opening.
  • the permanent magnets are suitably coated with plastic. As a result, the magnets do not come into contact with the ink and are thus reliably protected against corrosion.
  • the first magnet is injected into the formed as a plastic injection molded part valve body and the second magnet in the also made of plastic housing of the ink cartridge.
  • the ink cartridge may include one or more ink containers.
  • the ink containers may be formed as chambers within the housing or as separate bags or the like, which are inserted into the housing. Each individual of these ink containers may be provided with a differential pressure valve according to the invention.
  • Fig.1 an ink cartridge is shown schematically in section and provided with the reference numeral 1 as a whole.
  • the ink cartridge 1 has a substantially box-shaped ink tank 2 having a lid 2a, side walls 2b, and a bottom 2c. Through the bottom 2c and a tubular ink outlet 3 attached to the outside thereof, an ink outlet port 4 extends from inside to outside.
  • the ink cartridge 1 is filled to level F with free-flowing ink.
  • a ventilation opening 5 which connects the ink-filled interior of the ink tank 2 with the environment and ensures that ambient air flows into the ink tank 2 when ink is removed through the ink outlet 3.
  • a sealing element 6 is inserted, through which a hollow ink removal needle for supplying ink to an ink jet printer not shown in detail for the removal of ink to the ink outlet 3 can be connected.
  • the sealing element 6 may be, for example, an elastic sealing ring or a pierceable septum.
  • a differential pressure valve 8 is arranged in the ink outlet 4 of the ink outlet 3. This valve 8 is for better explanation in Fig.2 shown enlarged again.
  • the differential pressure valve 8 has a valve seat 9 with a continuous valve opening 10.
  • the valve seat 9 On the outside, in the drawing below, the valve seat 9 has a conical sealing surface 11 which extends around the valve opening and widens outwards.
  • a tubular connecting piece 12 is formed, which is integrally formed on one of the ink outlet 4 Outlet 13 is plugged.
  • a circumferential indentation 14 Between the sealing surface 11 and the connecting piece 12 of the valve seat 9 is formed with a circumferential indentation 14, ie a bellows-like bead.
  • valve seat 9 is in Figure 3 again enlarged to clarify the details. It is also clearly visible how the sealing surface 11 is formed on the cone-shaped outlet-expiring valve seat 9, so that a circumferential, resilient sealing lip is formed.
  • the curved double arrow indicates how the sealing surface 11 can be tilted laterally about a pivot point located within the indentation 14; the upward and downward double arrow indicates the axial mobility.
  • the closing force acting on the valve body 15 is generated by a spring device, which is supported on a fixed abutment 16 in the ink outlet 3.
  • the spring device can be realized in that between the valve body 15 and abutment 16 a - shown here - compression spring 17 is used, or alternatively, the valve body 15 and the abutment 16 are equipped with mutually repelling magnets.
  • the valve body 15 has a spherically shaped sealing side (in the drawing above), which is pressed by the spring device against the sealing surface 11. This closes the valve opening 10, i. when idle, no ink flows through the ink outlet port 4 to the printer.
  • the printer sucks ink with a certain negative pressure through the ink removal needle, which is sealingly inserted into the sealing element 6 in the outlet of the ink outlet 3.
  • a differential pressure is applied to the interior of the ink tank 2 at the differential pressure valve 8 and thus generates an opening force (directed downwards in the drawing) on the valve body 11 which lifts it against the closing surface 11 of the valve seat 9, counter to the closing force exerted by the spring device. so that now ink through the Differential pressure valve 8 can flow. If no negative pressure is applied to the outlet, and the pressure difference is eliminated and the differential pressure valve 8 closes.
  • the acting closing force is determined by the spring means so that on the one hand, the differential pressure valve 8 is tightly closed when a full ink cartridge 1 from above one of the height of the ink tank 2 corresponding liquid column is pending, and on the other hand, the differential pressure valve 8 opens reliably when a printer at the output of the ink outlet 3 sucks ink.
  • An advantage of the invention results from the fact that the sealing surface 11 is movable relative to the fitting 12 of the valve seat 9 fixedly mounted in the ink outlet opening 4.
  • the valve seat 9 is formed deformable, for example as an elastic rubber molding.
  • the indentation 14 forms a type of tilting joint, around which the sealing surface 11 can tilt laterally, and moreover a bellows-like compensating piece, so that the sealing surface is movable in the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet opening 4.
  • valve seat 9 initially stretches outwardly when the printer is sucked in, before the valve body 9 lifts off from the sealing surface 11. As a result, first gradually builds on negative pressure, whereby valve flutter is suppressed.
  • the differential pressure valve 8 according to the invention consequently has a particularly favorable response.
  • retraction or dripping of ink is prevented by the retraction of the valve seat 9 when the printer is no longer sucked or the ink cartridge 1 is taken out of the printer.

Description

Die vorliegende Erfindung bezieht sich auf eine Tintenkartusche, die mindestens einen Tintenbehälter umfaßt, welcher einen Tintenauslass mit einer Tintenauslassöffnung aufweist, die sich von innen nach aussen erstreckt, in der Tintenauslassöffnung ein Differenzdruckventil angebracht ist, welches einen Ventilsitz und einen relativ dazu beweglichen Ventilkörper umfasst, der Ventilsitz eine durchgehende Ventilöffnung hat, die außen eine umlaufende Dichtfläche aufweist, eine Federeinrichtung zwischen dem beweglichen Ventilkörper und dem feststehenden Tintenauslass angebracht ist, die sich mit einem Ende gegen ein festes axiales Widerlager (16) in der Tintenauslassöffnung (4) und mit dem anderen Ende gegen den Ventilkörper (15) abstützt,
der Ventilkörper (15) von der Federeinrichtung (17) mit einer vorbestimmten Schliesskraft dichtend von aussen gegen die Dichtfläche (11) des Ventilsitzes(9) angepresst wird und gegen die Schliesskraft nach aussen von der Dichtfläche (11) bewegbar ist.The present invention relates to an ink cartridge comprising at least one ink tank having an ink outlet with an ink outlet opening extending from inside to outside, in which ink outlet port a differential pressure valve is mounted, which comprises a valve seat and a valve body movable relative thereto; the valve seat has a continuous valve opening having a peripheral sealing surface on the outside, spring means mounted between the movable valve body and the fixed ink outlet, one end against a fixed axial abutment (16) in the ink outlet port (4) and with the other End supported against the valve body (15),
the valve body (15) is pressed against the sealing surface (11) of the valve seat (9) with a predetermined closing force by the spring device (17) and can be moved outward from the sealing surface (11) against the closing force.

Tintenkartuschen der genannten Art dienen als austauschbare Tintentanks zur Tintenversorgung von Tintenstrahl-Druckeinrichtungen. In der Regel weisen sie ein Gehäuse auf, welches zur Anbringung in einer korrespondierenden Aufnahme eines Druckers ausgebildet ist. In dem Gehäuse der Tintenkartusche sind als eigentlicher Tintenspeicher ein einzelner oder mehrere Tintenbehälter ausgebildet, die mit verschiedenen Tinten gefüllt sein können. Jeder Tintenbehälter hat eine Tintenauslassöffnung zur lösbaren Verbindung mit einem Tintenversorgungsanschluss des Druckers. Dadurch wird dem Drucker im Betrieb Tinte zugeführt. Wenn die in dem Tintenbehälter enthaltene Tinte aufgebraucht worden ist, kann die leere Tintenkartusche einfach aus der Aufnahme entnommen werden und durch eine volle Tintenkartusche ersetzt werden. Die leeren Tintenkartuschen werden entweder entsorgt oder zur erneuten Verwendung wieder mit Tinte befüllt.Ink cartridges of the type mentioned serve as replaceable ink tanks for supplying ink to ink jet printing devices. In general, they have a housing, which is designed for attachment in a corresponding receptacle of a printer. In the housing of the ink cartridge are formed as an actual ink reservoir, a single or multiple ink containers, which may be filled with different inks. Each ink container has an ink outlet port for detachable connection to an ink supply port of the printer. This will cause the printer to operate Ink supplied. When the ink contained in the ink container has been used up, the empty ink cartridge can be easily removed from the receptacle and replaced with a full ink cartridge. The empty ink cartridges are either disposed of or refilled with ink for reuse.

Einfach aufgebaute, kleinere Tintenstrahldrucker erfordern, dass die Tinte am Tintenauslass der Tintenkartusche unter einem vorgegebenen negativen Druckniveau ansteht, das dem Unterdruck entspricht, welches der Druckkopf während des Betriebs am Tintenversorgungsanschluss des Druckers erzeugt. Das negative Druckniveau muss in engen Grenzen eingehalten werden: Einerseits muss gewährleistet sein, dass die Tinte nicht bereits durch die Schwerkraft selbsttätig aus der Tintenkartusche ausläuft und die Funktion des Druckkopfes stört, andererseits darf das Druckniveau nicht so hoch sein, dass von dem Druckkopf keine Tinte mehr angesaugt werden kann.Simply constructed, smaller ink jet printers require that the ink be present at the ink outlet of the ink cartridge at a predetermined negative pressure level corresponding to the negative pressure that the printhead produces during operation at the ink supply port of the printer. The negative pressure level must be kept within narrow limits: On the one hand, it must be ensured that the ink does not automatically leak out of the ink cartridge by gravity and disturb the function of the print head, on the other hand, the pressure level must not be so high that the print head is not inked can be sucked more.

Um die Tinte mit einem vorbestimmten negativen Druck an der Tintenauslassöffnung der Tintenkartusche bereitzustellen, ist es bekannt, im Tintenauslass ein Differenzdruck-Ventil anzuordnen. Dieses öffnet, wenn der Druckkopf arbeitet und Tinte ansaugt, wodurch ein Unterdruck am Tintenversorgungsanschluss erzeugt wird, und Tinte kann zum Druckkopf fliessen.In order to provide the ink with a predetermined negative pressure at the ink outlet port of the ink cartridge, it is known to arrange a differential pressure valve in the ink outlet. This opens when the printhead operates to draw ink, creating a vacuum at the ink supply port, and ink can flow to the printhead.

Tintenkartuschen mit Differenzdruckventilen im Tintenauslass sind in vielfältigen Ausführungen bekannt, beispielsweise aus der EP 238 829 B1 . Darin wird ein Ventil mit einem kappenförmigen Ventilkörper beschrieben, der federbelastet auf einer Dichtfläche der Tintenauslassöffnung von außen dichtend anliegt und die Durchgangsöffnung freigibt, wenn durch den Druckkopf ein vorbestimmtes Unterdruck-Niveau auf der Außenseite des Differenzdruckventils unterschritten wird. Die Verwendung eines elastischen Ventilkörpers hat zwar den Vorteil eines einfachen Aufbaus. Nachteilig ist jedoch, dass die Herstellung eines elastischen Ventilkörpers mit der geforderten Genauigkeit der elastischen Eigenschaften in grossen Stückzahlen relativ aufwendig ist. Ausserdem verändern sich die Eigenschaften von elastischen Werkstoffen mit der Zeit, so dass das Ventil undicht wird oder die zum Öffnen erforderliche Druckdifferenz zu hoch oder zu niedrig wird. Teilweise können die vorgenannten Probleme dadurch ausgeglichen werden, dass der Ventilkörper von einem Federelement gegen einen Ventilsitz angepresst wird. Ein derartiges Konzept ist beispielsweise in der EP 709 207 B1 beschrieben. Die daraus bekannte Ausführung des Ventils hat den wesentlichen Nachteil, dass bereits eine geringe Fehlorientierung des Ventilkörpers relativ zur Dichtfläche zu Funktionsproblemen führt. Dies ist jedoch der Normalfall, da der Ventilkörper in der Tintenauslassöffnung beweglich ist und dadurch zwangsläufig mechanisches Spiel hat. Dadurch kann das Differenzdruckventil im geschlossenen Zustand undicht sein, wodurch das Unterdruckniveau am Tintenauslass nicht aufrecht erhalten werden kann, folglich Tinte unkontrolliert austritt und Funktionsstörungen und Schäden am Drucker auftreten können.Ink cartridges with differential pressure valves in the ink outlet are known in many designs, for example from the EP 238 829 B1 , Therein, a valve with a cap-shaped valve body is described, the spring-loaded on a sealing surface of the ink outlet from the outside sealingly sealing and the passage opening releases when the printhead falls below a predetermined negative pressure level on the outside of the differential pressure valve. Although the use of an elastic valve body has the advantage of a simple construction. The disadvantage, however, is that the production of an elastic valve body with the required accuracy of the elastic properties in large numbers is relatively expensive. In addition, the properties of elastic materials change with time, so that the valve leaks or the pressure difference required to open becomes too high or too low. In part, the aforementioned problems can be compensated by the fact that the valve body is pressed by a spring element against a valve seat. Such a concept is for example in the EP 709 207 B1 described. The known design of the valve has the significant disadvantage that even a slight misalignment of the valve body relative to the sealing surface leads to functional problems. However, this is the normal case, since the valve body is movable in the Tintenauslassöffnung and thereby inevitably has mechanical play. As a result, the differential pressure valve may be leaking in the closed state, whereby the vacuum level at the ink outlet can not be maintained, thus ink escapes uncontrollably and malfunctions and damage to the printer can occur.

Aus der EP 0 709 207 A ist eine Tintenkartusche mit den eingangs genannten Merkmalen bekanntFrom the EP 0 709 207 A an ink cartridge with the features mentioned is known

Angesichts der vorangehend erläuterten Probleme im Stand der Technik liegt der Erfindung die Motivation zugrunde, eine Tintenkartusche mit einem Differenzdruck-Ventil zu schaffen, welches zuverlässiger funktioniert. Insbesondere soll der Ventilkörper in geschlossenem Zustand immer optimal dichtend an der Dichtfläche anliegen.In view of the above-discussed problems in the prior art, the invention is based on the motivation to provide an ink cartridge with a differential pressure valve which functions more reliably. In particular, the valve body in the closed state should always rest optimally sealingly against the sealing surface.

Zur Lösung der vorgenannten Problematik wird erfindungsgemäss vorgeschlagen, dass der Ventilsitz (9) einen Gelenkabschnitt (14) aufweist, an dem die Dichtfläche (11) relativ zur Tintenauslassöffnung (4) verkippbar angeordnet ist.To solve the above problem, the invention proposes that the valve seat (9) has a hinge portion (14) on which the sealing surface (11) relative to the Tintenauslassöffnung (4) is arranged tiltable.

Bei der Erfindung wird ist die Dichtfläche im Gegensatz zum bekannten Stand der Technik nicht fest in der Tintenauslassöffnung fixiert, sondern innerhalb des Tintenauslasses bewegbar, nämlich verkippbar. Das wird bevorzugt dadurch erreicht, dass der Ventilsitz in sich flexibel gestaltet ist. Damit ist es möglich, den Ventilsitz innen im Querschnitt der Tintenauslassöffnung zu halten, während der Ventilsitz relativ dazu bewegbar ist.In the invention, unlike the prior art, the sealing surface is not firmly fixed in the ink outlet opening, but movable within the ink outlet, namely tiltable. This is preferably achieved in that the valve seat is designed to be flexible. This makes it possible for the Keep valve seat inside in cross section of the ink outlet, while the valve seat is relatively movable.

Ein Vorteil der Erfindung kann dadurch erreicht werden, daß der Ventilsitz verformbar ausgebildet ist, beispielsweise als elastisches Gummi-Formteil. Dieses kann bereits durch eine einfache Formgebung, beispielweise als Rohrabschnitt, in sich elastisch flexibel gestaltet werden.An advantage of the invention can be achieved in that the valve seat is formed deformable, for example as an elastic rubber molding. This can already be designed by a simple shape, for example, as a pipe section in itself flexible elastic.

Vorteilhaft ist weiterhin, dass die Dichtfläche seitlich verkippen kann. Dies kann beispielsweise durch eine Art Kippgelenk realisiert werden, welches durch eine umlaufende Einformung in einem rohrförmigen Abschnitt des Ventilsitzes gebildet wird. Dadurch können eventuelle Verkippungen des Ventilkörpers im Tintenauslass ausgeglichen werden. Der Ventilkörper liegt in geschlossenem Zustand immer optimal dichtend an der Dichtfläche an.A further advantage is that the sealing surface can tilt laterally. This can be realized for example by a kind of tilting joint, which is formed by a circumferential indentation in a tubular portion of the valve seat. This can be compensated for any tilting of the valve body in the ink outlet. The valve body is in the closed state always optimally sealing to the sealing surface.

Eine vorteilhafte Ausführungsform der Erfindung sieht vor, dass die Dichtfläche in Längsrichtung der Tintenauslassöffnung bewegbar ist. Eine derartige axiale Bewegbarkeit kann beispielsweise durch ein balgartiges Ausgleichsstück erreicht werden, so dass die Dichtfläche in Längsrichtung der Tintenauslassöffnung bewegbar ist. Dabei ist es vorteilhaft, dass der Ventilsitz sich beim Ansaugen des Druckers zunächst nach außen streckt, bevor der Ventilkörper sich von der Dichtfläche abhebt. Dadurch baut sich zunächst allmählich Unterdruck auf, wodurch unerwünschtes Ventilflattern unterdrückt wird. Das erfindungsgemäße Differenzdruckventil hat folglich ein besonders günstiges Ansprechverhalten. Außerdem wird durch das Zurückziehen des Ventilsitzes ein Nachlaufen oder Heraustropfen von Tinte verhindert, wenn der Drucker nicht mehr ansaugt oder die Tintenkartusche aus dem Drucker herausgenommen wird. Dadurch wird die Handhabungs- und Betriebssicherheit erhöht.An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the sealing surface is movable in the longitudinal direction of the Tintenauslassöffnung. Such axial mobility can be achieved, for example, by a bellows-type compensating piece, so that the sealing surface can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet opening. It is advantageous that the valve seat initially stretches outwardly during the suction of the printer before the valve body lifts off from the sealing surface. As a result, first gradually builds negative pressure, which undesirable valve flutter is suppressed. The differential pressure valve according to the invention consequently has a particularly favorable response. In addition, the retraction of the valve seat prevents ink run-off or dripping when the printer stops sucking or the ink cartridge is removed from the printer. As a result, the handling and reliability is increased.

Vorzugsweise ist die Dichtfläche konisch geformt. In dem somit gebildeten Innenkonus können kugelförmige Ventilkörper besonders gut abdichten. Außerdem kann so ebenfalls eine kegelmantel-förmige, umlaufende Dichtlippe gebildet werden, die auf ebenen und auch auf ballig-kugelförmigen Gegenflächen bereits bei geringen Dichtkräften eine gute Dichtwirkung erreicht.Preferably, the sealing surface is conically shaped. Spherical valve bodies can seal particularly well in the inner cone thus formed. In addition, so also a cone-shaped, circumferential sealing lip can be formed, which achieves a good sealing effect on even and spherical-spherical mating surfaces even at low sealing forces.

Der Ventilkörper kann eine ballige Dichtfläche haben, die auf der Stirnseite eines im wesentlichen zylindrischen Körpers ausgebildet ist. Alternativ kann die Dichtfläche eben, konisch oder andersartig geformt sein.The valve body may have a crowned sealing surface which is formed on the end face of a substantially cylindrical body. Alternatively, the sealing surface may be flat, conical or otherwise shaped.

Bevorzugt ist der Ventilsitz als Elastomer-Formteil ausgebildet ist, beispielsweise aus Gummi oder einem thermoplastischen Elastomer. Dadurch kann gut eine erfindungsgemäße Beweglichkeit des Ventilsitzes realisiert werden. Außerdem ergibt sich eine zuverlässige Dichtwirkung bei geringer Dichtkraft.Preferably, the valve seat is formed as an elastomeric molded part, for example made of rubber or a thermoplastic elastomer. As a result, an inventive mobility of the valve seat can be realized well. In addition, there is a reliable sealing effect with low sealing force.

Vorteilhafterweise weist der Ventilsitz ein Anschlußstück auf, welches eine einfache Verbindung mit der Tintenauslassöffnung ermöglicht. Das Anschlußstück kann beispielsweise durch einen Rohrabschnitt gebildet werden, der auf einen entsprechenden Kupplungsteil angebracht wird, beispielsweise auf einen an der Tintenauslassöffnung angeformten Anschlußstutzen dicht aufgesteckt wird.Advantageously, the valve seat has a fitting which allows easy connection to the ink outlet port. The fitting may for example be formed by a pipe section which is mounted on a corresponding coupling part, for example, is fitted tightly onto a formed on the Tintenauslassöffnung connecting piece.

Die Federeinrichtung kann eine Druckfeder aufweisen, die sich mit einem Ende gegen ein festes axiales Widerlager in der Tintenauslassöffnung und mit dem anderen Ende gegen den Ventilkörper abstützt. Alternativ weist die Federeinrichtung einen ersten Permanentmagneten auf, der an dem Ventilkörper angebracht ist, und einen zweiten Permanentmagneten, der relativ zur Ventilöffnung fest in der Tintenauslassöffnung angebracht ist, der dem ersten Permanentmagnet gleichpolig gegenüber liegt, so dass die abstossende Kraft zwischen dem ersten und zweiten Permanentmagneten als Schliesskraft auf den Ventilkörper wirkt. Die Ventilkraft, mit welcher der Ventilkörper gegen die Dichtfläche angedrückt wird, wird folglich alternativ durch ein mechanisches Federelement erzeugt oder durch magnetische Abstossung. Die abstossende Magnetkraft kann dadurch realisiert werden, dass erste und zweite Magnetelemente am beweglichen Ventilkörper und am relativ zur Dichtfläche feststehenden Widerlager angebracht sind. Die Magnetelemente stehen sich mit gleichen Magnetpolen gegenüber, also Nord-Nord oder Süd-Süd, wodurch eine magnetische Kraft wirkt, die bezüglich einer Verbindungslinie der beiden Magente nach aussen gerichtet ist.The spring means may comprise a compression spring which is supported at one end against a fixed axial abutment in the Tintenauslassöffnung and at the other end against the valve body. Alternatively, the spring means comprises a first permanent magnet mounted on the valve body and a second permanent magnet fixedly mounted relative to the valve opening in the ink outlet port, opposite to the first permanent magnet, so that the repulsive force is between the first and second Permanent magnet acting as a closing force on the valve body. The valve force with which the valve body is pressed against the sealing surface is thus alternatively produced by a mechanical spring element or by magnetic repulsion. The repulsive magnetic force can be realized in that first and second magnetic elements are attached to the movable valve body and the abutment fixed relative to the sealing surface. The magnetic elements face each other with the same magnetic poles, ie north-north or south-south, whereby a magnetic force acts, which is directed outwards with respect to a connecting line of the two Magente.

Die magnetische Übertragung der Schliesskraft auf den Ventilkörper erfolgt berührungsfrei. Dadurch ist es möglich, den Ventilkörper mit dem ersten Magneten und das Gehäuse mit dem zweiten Magneten zunächst einzeln herzustellen und anschliessend ohne mechanische Verbindung und damit besonders einfach zum Differenzdruckventil zusammen zu montieren. Darüber hinaus fallen auch weitere potentielle mechanische Probleme weg, die aus der Verwendung von konventionellen Federn entstehen könnten, beispielsweise Reibung, Verkanten, Verunreinigungen etc..The magnetic transmission of the closing force on the valve body is non-contact. This makes it possible to first individually produce the valve body with the first magnet and the housing with the second magnet and then assemble together without mechanical connection and thus particularly easy to the differential pressure valve. In addition, other potential mechanical problems that might arise from the use of conventional springs, such as friction, tilting, contamination, etc., are eliminated.

Ein weiterer Vorteil ist, dass Permanentmagnete sich in hohen Stückzahlen mit engen Toleranzen hinsichtlich ihrer magnetischen und mechanischen Eigenschaften günstig produzieren lassen, beispielsweise durch Sinterverfahren. Dadurch kann das Ansprechverhalten des erfindungsgemässen Differenzdruckventils entsprechend genau vorgegeben werden.Another advantage is that permanent magnets can be produced cheaply in high quantities with close tolerances in terms of their magnetic and mechanical properties, for example by sintering. As a result, the response of the inventive differential pressure valve can be specified accordingly.

Durch die Verwendung von Permanentmagneten aus hartmagnetischen Werkstoffen mit hoher Remanenz und Permeabilität können Magnete mit kleinen Abmessungen Verwendung finden, die über lange Zeit ihre Magnetisierung behalten. Entsprechend bleibt die Schliesskraft konstant und die Funktion des Ventils ist auch langfristig gewährleistet.By using permanent magnets made of hard magnetic materials with high remanence and permeability, magnets with small dimensions can be used which retain their magnetization over a long period of time. Accordingly, the closing force remains constant and the function of the valve is ensured in the long term.

Vorzugsweise sind die Polachsen der Permanentmagnete koaxial ausgerichtet. Dadurch stehen sich die ersten und zweiten Permanentmagnete mit gleichen Magnetpolen bezüglich der Verbindungslinie axial gegenüber, wobei die radiale Orientierung ohne Einfluss ist. Dadurch wird die Fertigung vereinfacht und es wirken keine unerwünschten Drehmomente auf die Magnete.Preferably, the pole axes of the permanent magnets are aligned coaxially. As a result, the first and second permanent magnets with the same magnetic poles are axially opposite each other with respect to the connecting line, the radial orientation having no influence. As a result, the production is simplified and there are no unwanted torques on the magnets.

Es ist vorteilhaft, dass die Permanentmagnete scheibenförmig ausgebildet sind. Für die magnetischen Eigenschaften ist es günstig, dass die Magnete als zylindrische Scheiben geformt sind mit axialer Magnetisierungsrichtung. Diese werden am Ventilkörper und einem festen Widerlager im Gehäuse der Tintenkartusche einfach axial übereinander angeordnet. Alternativ können die Permanentmagnete quader- oder ringförmig - oder auch in unterschiedlichen Abmessungen - ausgestaltet sein, um eine Optimierung der Schliesskraft zu erreichen oder eine Anpassung an das Gehäuse, beispielsweise zur Vereinfachung der Montage.It is advantageous that the permanent magnets are disc-shaped. For the magnetic properties, it is favorable that the magnets are shaped as cylindrical disks with an axial magnetization direction. These are simply arranged axially above one another on the valve body and a fixed abutment in the housing of the ink cartridge. Alternatively, the permanent magnets may be cuboid or annular - or in different dimensions - be configured, to achieve an optimization of the closing force or an adaptation to the housing, for example, to simplify the assembly.

Eine vorteilhafte Ausführung der Erfindung sieht vor, dass der Ventilkörper und/oder der daran angebrachte erste Permanentmagnet auf einer Führung in Bewegungsrichtung geführt ist. Eine mechanische Führung des Ventilkörpers kann beispielsweise durch Führungsstangen oder -schienen und korrespondierende Öffnungen im Ventilkörper und im Gehäuse gebildet werden. Dadurch wird erreicht, dass der Ventilkörper sicher und exakt auf der Ventilöffnung aufsetzt.An advantageous embodiment of the invention provides that the valve body and / or attached thereto first permanent magnet is guided on a guide in the direction of movement. A mechanical guide of the valve body can be formed for example by guide rods or rails and corresponding openings in the valve body and in the housing. This ensures that the valve body sits securely and accurately on the valve opening.

Eine weitere Möglichkeit, den Ventilkörper relativ zur Ventilöffnung genau zu positionieren, besteht darin, dass der erste und zweite Permanentmagnet ein selbst zentrierendes Magnetlager bilden. Ein derartiges Magnetlager kann beispielsweise dadurch gebildet werden, dass einer der Permanentmagneten ein axial magnetisierter Ring ist, der den zweiten Magneten radial fixiert. Auf diese Weise kann eine berührungsfreie Zentrierung des Ventilkörpers relativ zur Ventilöffnung realisiert werden.Another way to accurately position the valve body relative to the valve opening is that the first and second permanent magnets form a self-centering magnetic bearing. Such a magnetic bearing can be formed, for example, by one of the permanent magnets being an axially magnetized ring which fixes the second magnet radially. In this way, a contact-free centering of the valve body can be realized relative to the valve opening.

Die Permanentmagnete sind zweckmässiger weise mit Kunststoff ummantelt. Dadurch kommen die Magnete nicht in Kontakt mit der Tinte und sind somit zuverlässig gegen Korrosion geschützt. Bevorzugt ist der erste Magnet in den als Kunststoff-Spritzgussteil ausgebildeten Ventilkörper mit eingespritzt und der zweite Magnet in das ebenfalls aus Kunststoff bestehende Gehäuse der Tintenkartusche.The permanent magnets are suitably coated with plastic. As a result, the magnets do not come into contact with the ink and are thus reliably protected against corrosion. Preferably, the first magnet is injected into the formed as a plastic injection molded part valve body and the second magnet in the also made of plastic housing of the ink cartridge.

Die Tintenkartusche kann einen oder mehrere Tintenbehälter aufweisen. Die Tintenbehälter können als Kammern innerhalb des Gehäuses ausgebildet sein oder als separate Beutel oder dergleichen, die in das Gehäuse eingesetzt werden. Jeder einzelne dieser Tintenbehälter kann mit einem erfindungsgemässen Differenzdruck-Ventil versehen sein.The ink cartridge may include one or more ink containers. The ink containers may be formed as chambers within the housing or as separate bags or the like, which are inserted into the housing. Each individual of these ink containers may be provided with a differential pressure valve according to the invention.

Im Folgenden wird eine Ausführung der Erfindung anhand von Zeichnungen näher erläutert. Im einzelnen zeigen:

Fig.1
eine Schnittansicht einer erfindungsgemäßen Tintenkartusche,
Fig.2
eine Detailansicht des Ventils der Tintenkartusche gemäß Fig.1,
Fig.3
einen Ventilsitz des Ventils gemäß Fig.2.
In the following an embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to drawings. In detail show:
Fig.1
a sectional view of an ink cartridge according to the invention,
Fig.2
a detailed view of the valve of the ink cartridge according to Fig.1 .
Figure 3
a valve seat of the valve according to Fig.2 ,

In Fig.1 ist eine Tintenkartusche schematisch im Schnitt dargestellt und als ganzes mit dem Bezugszeichen 1 versehen.In Fig.1 an ink cartridge is shown schematically in section and provided with the reference numeral 1 as a whole.

Die Tintenkartusche 1 weist einen im wesentlichen kastenförmigen Tintentank 2 auf, welcher einen Deckel 2a, Seitenwände 2b sowie einen Boden 2c aufweist. Durch den Boden 2c und einen außen daran angebrachten rohrförmigen Tintenauslass 3 erstreckt sich eine Tintenauslassöffnung 4 von innen nach außen.The ink cartridge 1 has a substantially box-shaped ink tank 2 having a lid 2a, side walls 2b, and a bottom 2c. Through the bottom 2c and a tubular ink outlet 3 attached to the outside thereof, an ink outlet port 4 extends from inside to outside.

Die Tintenkartusche 1 ist bis zum Füllstand F mit frei fliessender Tinte gefüllt.The ink cartridge 1 is filled to level F with free-flowing ink.

Im Deckel 2a befindet sich eine Belüftungsöffnung 5, die den Tinten-gefüllten Innenraum des Tintentanks 2 mit der Umgebung verbindet und dafür sorgt, dass Umgebungsluft in den Tintentank 2 nachströmt, wenn Tinte durch den Tintenauslass 3 entnommen wird.In the lid 2 a is a ventilation opening 5, which connects the ink-filled interior of the ink tank 2 with the environment and ensures that ambient air flows into the ink tank 2 when ink is removed through the ink outlet 3.

Im Ausgang des Tintenauslasses 3 ist ein Dichtelement 6 eingesetzt, durch das eine hohle Tintenentnahmenadel zur Tintenversorgung eines im einzelnen nicht dargestellten Tintenstrahldruckers zur Entnahme von Tinte an den Tintenauslass 3 anschließbar ist. Das Dichtelement 6 kann beispielsweise ein elastischer Dichtring oder ein durchstechbares Septum sein.In the outlet of the ink outlet 3, a sealing element 6 is inserted, through which a hollow ink removal needle for supplying ink to an ink jet printer not shown in detail for the removal of ink to the ink outlet 3 can be connected. The sealing element 6 may be, for example, an elastic sealing ring or a pierceable septum.

In der Tintenauslassöffnung 4 des Tintenauslasses 3 ist ein Differenzdruckventil 8 angeordnet. Dieses Ventil 8 ist zur besseren Erläuterung in Fig.2 noch einmal vergrössert dargestellt.In the ink outlet 4 of the ink outlet 3, a differential pressure valve 8 is arranged. This valve 8 is for better explanation in Fig.2 shown enlarged again.

Innen, also auf der in der Zeichnung oben liegenden Eingangsseite, weist das Differenzdruckventil 8 einen Ventilsitz 9 mit einer durchgehenden Ventilöffnung 10 auf. Außen, das ist in der Zeichnung unten, weist der Ventilsitz 9 eine um die Ventilöffnung umlaufende, sich nach außen aufweitende konische Dichtfläche 11 auf. Am inneren Ende des Ventilsitzes 9 ist ein rohrförmiges Anschlussstück 12 ausgebildet, welches auf einen an der Tintenauslassöffnung 4 angeformten Auslassstutzen 13 aufgesteckt ist. Zwischen der Dichtfläche 11 und dem Anschlussstück 12 ist der Ventilsitz 9 mit einer umlaufenden Einformung 14, d.h. einer balgartigen Sicke ausgebildet.Inside, ie on the input side lying in the drawing above, the differential pressure valve 8 has a valve seat 9 with a continuous valve opening 10. On the outside, in the drawing below, the valve seat 9 has a conical sealing surface 11 which extends around the valve opening and widens outwards. At the inner end of the valve seat 9, a tubular connecting piece 12 is formed, which is integrally formed on one of the ink outlet 4 Outlet 13 is plugged. Between the sealing surface 11 and the connecting piece 12 of the valve seat 9 is formed with a circumferential indentation 14, ie a bellows-like bead.

Der Ventilsitz 9 ist in Fig.3 zur Verdeutlichung der Details noch einmal vergrößert dargestellt. Darin ist ebenfalls deutlich erkennbar, wie die Dichtfläche 11 an der kegelmantel-förmig auslaufenden Ventilsitz 9 geformt ist, so dass eine umlaufende, nachgiebige Dichtlippe gebildet wird. Mit dem gebogenen Doppelpfeil ist angedeutet, wie die Dichtfläche 11 um einen innerhalb der Einformung 14 gelegenen Gelenkpunkt seitlich verkippt werden kann; der auf- und abwärts gerichtete Doppelpfeil deutet die axiale Bewegbarkeit an.The valve seat 9 is in Figure 3 again enlarged to clarify the details. It is also clearly visible how the sealing surface 11 is formed on the cone-shaped outlet-expiring valve seat 9, so that a circumferential, resilient sealing lip is formed. The curved double arrow indicates how the sealing surface 11 can be tilted laterally about a pivot point located within the indentation 14; the upward and downward double arrow indicates the axial mobility.

Ein Ventilkörper 15, der in dem Tintenauslass 3 längsverschieblich gelagert ist, wird von außen dichtend gegen die konische Dichtfläche 11 des Ventilsitzes 9 angepresst, was mit dem Pfeil angedeutet ist. Die auf den Ventilkörper 15 wirkende Schliesskraft wird durch eine Federeinrichtung erzeugt, die sich an einem festen Widerlager 16 im Tintenauslass 3 abstützt. Die Federeinrichtung kann dadurch realisiert sein, dass zwischen Ventilkörper 15 und Widerlager 16 eine - hier schematisch dargestellte - Druckfeder 17 eingesetzt ist, oder alternativ der Ventilkörper 15 und das Widerlager 16 mit sich gegenseitig abstoßenden Magneten ausgerüstet sind.A valve body 15, which is mounted longitudinally displaceably in the ink outlet 3, is pressed from the outside sealingly against the conical sealing surface 11 of the valve seat 9, which is indicated by the arrow. The closing force acting on the valve body 15 is generated by a spring device, which is supported on a fixed abutment 16 in the ink outlet 3. The spring device can be realized in that between the valve body 15 and abutment 16 a - shown here - compression spring 17 is used, or alternatively, the valve body 15 and the abutment 16 are equipped with mutually repelling magnets.

Der Ventilkörper 15 hat eine ballig geformte Dichtseite (in der Zeichnung oben), die von der Federeinrichtung gegen die Dichtfläche 11 angepresst wird. Dadurch wird die Ventilöffnung 10 geschlossen, d.h. im Ruhezustand fliesst keine Tinte durch die Tintenauslassöffnung 4 zum Drucker.The valve body 15 has a spherically shaped sealing side (in the drawing above), which is pressed by the spring device against the sealing surface 11. This closes the valve opening 10, i. when idle, no ink flows through the ink outlet port 4 to the printer.

Im Betrieb saugt der Drucker durch die Tintenentnahmenadel, die abgedichtet in das Dichtelement 6 im Ausgang des Tintenauslasses 3 eingesetzt ist, Tinte mit einem bestimmten Unterdruck an. Dadurch steht an dem Differenzdruckventil 8 ein Differenzdruck zum Innenraum des Tintentanks 2 an und erzeugt damit eine (in der Zeichnung nach unten gerichtete) Öffnungskraft auf den Ventilkörper 11, die diesen entgegen der durch die Federeinrichtung ausgeübten Schliesskraft von der Dichtfläche 11 des Ventilsitzes 9 abhebt, so dass nunmehr Tinte durch das Differenzdruckventil 8 fliessen kann. Wenn kein Unterdruck mehr am Auslass anliegt, fällt auch die Druckdifferenz weg und das Differenzdruckventil 8 schliesst.In operation, the printer sucks ink with a certain negative pressure through the ink removal needle, which is sealingly inserted into the sealing element 6 in the outlet of the ink outlet 3. As a result, a differential pressure is applied to the interior of the ink tank 2 at the differential pressure valve 8 and thus generates an opening force (directed downwards in the drawing) on the valve body 11 which lifts it against the closing surface 11 of the valve seat 9, counter to the closing force exerted by the spring device. so that now ink through the Differential pressure valve 8 can flow. If no negative pressure is applied to the outlet, and the pressure difference is eliminated and the differential pressure valve 8 closes.

Die wirkende Schliesskraft wird durch die Federeinrichtung so vorgegeben, dass einerseits das Differenzdruckventil 8 dicht geschlossen ist, wenn bei einer vollen Tintenkartusche 1 von oben eine der Höhe des Tintentanks 2 entsprechende Flüssigkeitssäule ansteht, und andererseits das Differenzdruckventil 8 zuverlässig öffnet, wenn ein Drucker am Ausgang des Tintenauslasses 3 Tinte ansaugt.The acting closing force is determined by the spring means so that on the one hand, the differential pressure valve 8 is tightly closed when a full ink cartridge 1 from above one of the height of the ink tank 2 corresponding liquid column is pending, and on the other hand, the differential pressure valve 8 opens reliably when a printer at the output of the ink outlet 3 sucks ink.

Ein Vorteil der Erfindung ergibt sich daraus, dass die Dichtfläche 11 relativ zum fest in der Tintenauslassöffnung 4 angebrachten Anschlussstück 12 des Ventilsitzes 9 bewegbar ist. Dies wird dadurch erreicht, daß der Ventilsitz 9 verformbar ausgebildet ist, beispielsweise als elastisches Gummi-Formteil. Dabei bildet die Einformung 14 eine Art Kippgelenk, um das die Dichtfläche 11 seitlich verkippen kann, und darüber hinaus ein balgartiges Ausgleichsstück, so dass die Dichtfläche in Längsrichtung der Tintenauslassöffnung 4 bewegbar ist. Ein Vorteil dieser Anordnung ist, dass eine eventuelle Verkippung des Ventilkörpers 15 in der Tintenauslassöffnung 4 ausgeglichen wird und der Ventikörper 15 in geschlossenem Zustand immer optimal dichtend an der Dichtfläche 11 anliegt. Darüber hinaus ist es vorteilhaft, dass der Ventilsitz 9 sich beim Ansaugen des Druckers zunächst nach außen streckt, bevor der Ventilkörper 9 sich von der Dichtfläche 11 abhebt. Dadurch baut sich zunächst allmählich Unterdruck auf, wodurch Ventilflattern unterdrückt wird. Das erfindungsgemäße Differenzdruckventil 8 hat folglich ein besonders günstiges Ansprechverhalten. Außerdem wird durch das Zurückziehen des Ventilsitzes 9 ein Nachlaufen oder Heraustropfen von Tinte verhindert, wenn der Drucker nicht mehr ansaugt oder die Tintenkartusche 1 aus dem Drucker herausgenommen wird.An advantage of the invention results from the fact that the sealing surface 11 is movable relative to the fitting 12 of the valve seat 9 fixedly mounted in the ink outlet opening 4. This is achieved in that the valve seat 9 is formed deformable, for example as an elastic rubber molding. In this case, the indentation 14 forms a type of tilting joint, around which the sealing surface 11 can tilt laterally, and moreover a bellows-like compensating piece, so that the sealing surface is movable in the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet opening 4. An advantage of this arrangement is that any tilting of the valve body 15 in the ink outlet opening 4 is compensated for and the valve body 15 in the closed state always bears in an optimally sealing manner against the sealing surface 11. Moreover, it is advantageous that the valve seat 9 initially stretches outwardly when the printer is sucked in, before the valve body 9 lifts off from the sealing surface 11. As a result, first gradually builds on negative pressure, whereby valve flutter is suppressed. The differential pressure valve 8 according to the invention consequently has a particularly favorable response. In addition, retraction or dripping of ink is prevented by the retraction of the valve seat 9 when the printer is no longer sucked or the ink cartridge 1 is taken out of the printer.

Claims (9)

  1. Ink cartridge (1) which comprises at least one ink container (2) which has an ink outlet (3) with an ink outlet opening (4) which extends from the inside to the outside, a differential-pressure regulating valve (8) which comprises a valve seat (9) and a valve body (15) which can be moved relatively to the latter being attached in the ink outlet opening (4), the valve seat (9) having a continuous valve opening (10) which has a circumferential sealing face (11) on the outside, a spring device (17) being attached between the movable valve body (15) and the stationary ink outlet (3), which spring device (17) is supported with one end against a fixed axial abutment (16) in the ink outlet opening (4) and with the other end against the valve body (15), the valve body (15) being pressed sealingly from the outside against the sealing face (11) of the valve seat (9) by the spring device (17) with a predefined closing force, and it being possible for the said valve body (15) to be moved to the outside from the sealing face (11) counter to the closing force, the valve seat (9) being of deformable configuration, with the result that the sealing face (11) can be moved relative to the ink outlet opening, characterized in that the valve seat (9) has a joint section (14), on which the sealing face (11) is arranged such that it can be tilted relative to the ink outlet opening (4).
  2. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sealing face (11) can be moved in the longitudinal direction of the ink outlet opening (4).
  3. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat (9) has a tubular section with at least one circumferential formed recess (14).
  4. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sealing face (11) is shaped conically.
  5. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve body (15) is shaped spherically.
  6. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat (9) is configured as an elastomer shaped part.
  7. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the valve seat (9) has a connection piece (12) at the inner-side end.
  8. Ink cartridge according to Claim 7, characterized in that the connection piece (12) of the valve seat (9) is connected to a coupling part (13) of the ink container (2).
  9. Ink cartridge according to Claim 1, characterized in that the spring device has a first permanent magnet which is attached to the valve body (15) and a second permanent magnet (16) which is attached fixedly in the ink outlet opening (4) relative to the sealing face (11) and lies opposite the first permanent magnet with the same polarity alignment, with the result that the repelling force between the first and second permanent magnets acts as a closing force on the valve body (15).
EP07010664A 2006-06-02 2007-05-30 Ink cartridge Expired - Fee Related EP1862315B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
DE102006026258A DE102006026258A1 (en) 2006-06-02 2006-06-02 ink cartridge

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1862315A2 EP1862315A2 (en) 2007-12-05
EP1862315A3 EP1862315A3 (en) 2008-07-30
EP1862315B1 true EP1862315B1 (en) 2010-09-15

Family

ID=38616294

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP07010664A Expired - Fee Related EP1862315B1 (en) 2006-06-02 2007-05-30 Ink cartridge

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US (1) US7845780B2 (en)
EP (1) EP1862315B1 (en)
DE (2) DE102006026258A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN201685529U (en) * 2010-05-12 2010-12-29 珠海纳思达企业管理有限公司 Ink box filling device
JP6327015B2 (en) * 2014-06-27 2018-05-23 ブラザー工業株式会社 Liquid cartridge and liquid cartridge cap mounting method
JP2016022704A (en) * 2014-07-23 2016-02-08 セイコーエプソン株式会社 Liquid injection device and manufacturing method of the same

Family Cites Families (8)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4677447A (en) 1986-03-20 1987-06-30 Hewlett-Packard Company Ink jet printhead having a preloaded check valve
US5040002A (en) * 1990-03-16 1991-08-13 Hewlett-Packard Company Regulator for ink-jet pens
JPH08174860A (en) 1994-10-26 1996-07-09 Seiko Epson Corp Ink cartridge for ink jet printer
JPH08285125A (en) * 1995-04-12 1996-11-01 Koganei Corp Valve device and liquid chemical supplying device having the same
JPH10138507A (en) * 1996-11-14 1998-05-26 Seiko Epson Corp Manufacture of ink cartridge for ink jet recording unit
CA2430629C (en) * 1998-11-11 2007-01-02 Seiko Epson Corporation Ink-jet printing apparatus and ink cartridge
US7387378B2 (en) * 2003-03-05 2008-06-17 Seiko Epson Corporation Liquid container, component for forming liquid container, and method for producing liquid container
DE102005029588A1 (en) * 2005-06-25 2007-01-04 Artech Gmbh Design + Production In Plastic ink cartridge

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
DE502007005019D1 (en) 2010-10-28
US20070279463A1 (en) 2007-12-06
DE102006026258A1 (en) 2007-12-06
EP1862315A3 (en) 2008-07-30
US7845780B2 (en) 2010-12-07
EP1862315A2 (en) 2007-12-05

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